Three join the Spectrum staff
PLAINFIELD, Ill. — Spectrum Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of weather stations and data loggers, recently announced the hiring of U.S. sales manager, international sales manager and controller.

Warren McDonald, originally from Indiana, is Spectrum’s national sales manager. He joins the company with previous experience as a district sales agronomist in the Midwest and a regional manager in the western United States and western Canada. McDonald has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics from Purdue University.

Spectrum’s new international sales manager is Julian Good, a native of New Zealand. Good has previous experience as an international regional manager and has traveled extensively serving customers in North and Latin America, as well as the South Pacific Islands. He has a bachelor’s degree from Massey University in New Zealand.

Paul Meek joins the company as controller with more than 20 years of experience in both the private and public accounting fields. He has a CPA and MBA in entrepreneurship from DePaul University in Chicago.

Missouri Beef Industry Council leader moving to horse industry
COLUMBIA, Mo. — The Missouri Beef Industry Council recently announced the resignation of longtime executive director Steve Taylor, who has accepted the CEO position at the Appaloosa Horse Club headquartered in Moscow, Idaho starting August 1.

Taylor started with the beef council in early 1987, just after the nationwide checkoff program was launched. He leaves behind a solid program with a reputation for a good mix of checkoff-funded activities at the state level and effective support of national and international marketing efforts.

“It’s been a remarkable experience to work with such high quality volunteers and staff members at MBIC,” Taylor said.

An Illinois native and graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University and Western Illinois University, Taylor previously worked for “The Record Stockman,” a weekly livestock paper in Denver, as well as in purebred cattle production, marketing and education.

MBIC is in the process of selecting a new executive director and making plans for a transition, according to MBIC Chairman David Dick.

“We remain focused on the important work of administering the checkoff program and implementing strategies to help build demand for beef,” Dick noted.

“We sincerely appreciate the work Steve has done for the beef industry in Missouri and wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor.”

This farm news was published in the June 21, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.